Decision makers

Michigan lawmakers: Please pass a law to protect animals from being left alone in hot cars

On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.

14 states have laws allowing officers to enter vehicles by necessary means to rescue an animal trapped in a hot car. Let's get Michigan on board, too!

Please pass a law to protect animals from being left alone in hot cars. Make Michigan the 15th state to allow officers to rescue dogs from hot cars, and punish offenders with a fine and/or jail time for animal abuse.